Architecture and Fashion are two creative industries that share a distinct relationship to influence each other. The creative design skills learned in architecture majors can be put to use in other fields expanding their job realm to other design industries. The fashion industry is one such where familiar architects got their hands on for a quick commute to try something new. The synergy between architecture and fashion is perfect and many fashion designers studied architecture before switching to fashion. Extending the designs from Buildings to humans is an art that not everyone gets to ace. 

Fashion designs influenced by Architecture: The fashion industry

Many fashion collections have been inspired by the lines of architecture. Some of them are listed below:

1. Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2012 Collections 

It was inspired by the Architecture of Cathedral Notre-Dame De Reims in France. It was merely the mosaic art of cathedral pattern knit in a wearable form.

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Dolce & Gabbana Spring Summer 2012 Collections_©mymodernmet.com

2. Balenciaga Spring 2008 Collection | The fashion industry

The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain designed by the architect Frank Gehry was the foremost inspiration for this fashion collection. The asymmetric patterns on the shiny silver facade were creased in the attires.

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Balenciaga Spring 2008 Collection_©mymodernmet.com

3. Paco Rabanne Fall 2013 

Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain also inspired this collection with the patterns followed on its curvy facade.

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Paco Rabanne Fall 2013_©mymodernmet.com

4. Gareth Pugh Spring 2009

Hearst Building by Sir Norman Foster that stands tall in New York with the rhombic glazed facade inspired the collection with geometry as the fashion pick.

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Gareth Pugh Spring 2009_©mymodernmet.com

5. Chloé Spring/Summer Collections 2018 

The intricate patterns in Islamic architecture were embellished in this fashion collection.

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Chloé Spring/Summer Collections 2018_©mymodernmet.com

6. Milly Spring/Summer 2016 | The fashion industry

Heydar Aliyev Center by Zaha Hadid in Baku with its classic space frame sigmoid facade inspired the clothing collection.

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Milly Spring/Summer 2016_©mymodernmet.com

7. Guy Laroche 2014 

The staggered patterns are inspired by Beekman Tower situated in NY, which was designed by architect Frank Gehry.

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Guy Laroche 2014_©mymodernmet.com

8. Laura Biagiotti Spring 2012 

The patterns on the sheer fashion collection took notes from the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Tuscany, Italy.

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Laura Biagiotti Spring 2012 _©mymodernmet.com

9. Dior Haute Couture Fall 2014 | The fashion industry

The florals inscribed on the interiors of Esterhazy Palace in Hungary were an instigation to replicate them on clothing.

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Dior Haute Couture Fall 2014_©mymodernmet.com

Architects in the Fashion Industry:

1. Zaha Hadid 2012 

The fashion collection by architect Zaha Hadid herself was a noteworthy show and is the most relatable to this article. This collection was inspired by her architecture design ThyssenKrupp headquarters in Berlin.

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Zaha Hadid 2012_©mymodernmet.com

Zaha Hadid and Fashion | The fashion industry

Zaha Hadid also reigned in the Fashion Industry and held prevalence for designing shoes, handbags, and jewelry in collaboration with familiar brands. She is the only architect who has contributed most to the Fashion industry. Some of her well-known works in fashion are listed below:

1. Celeste couture necklace 

The effortlessly gliding necklace along the collarbone was a statement of class. The organic lines that follow the contours of one’s body and fluidity is a common design style she followed in jewelry designs.

Celeste couture necklace _©Swarovski
Celeste couture necklace _©Swarovski

2. Lacoste shoes | The fashion industry

The leather strap shoes that wrap around the legs helically and organic patterns are etched on them.

Lacoste Shoes_©zaha-hadid.com
Lacoste Shoes_©zaha-hadid.com

3. Melissa Plastic Shoes 

The collaboration with shoe brand Melissa let Hadid design shoes in a fluid organic contour of body-inspired style using digital technology.

Melissa Plastic Shoes_©design milk
Melissa Plastic Shoes_©design milk

4. Louis Vuitton Bucket Bag 

The molded plastic bag designed by Hadid had engraved the Louis Vuitton monogram pattern in different depths with a curvy shoulder strap.

Louis Vuitton bucket bag_©zaha-hadid.com
Louis Vuitton bucket bag_©zaha-hadid.com

5. Frank Gehry | The fashion industry

Another familiar architect who gave the best shot at Fashion was Frank Gehry. He is renowned for his deconstructivist style where the flowing lines take predominance and design elements to seem to be fragmented. Some of his fashion works are mentioned in the following:

6. Lady Gaga’s 12 collection 

He designed a hat for Lady Gaga on similar pages to his architectural design of Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain

Lady Gaga’s 12 collection _©Archdaily
Lady Gaga’s 12 collection _©Archdaily

7. Tiffany & Co. Jewelry Collection 

Six separate collections were designed in this collaboration. Some of the renowned designs namely – Torque, Fish, Orchard, and Fold. Each of them was distinct with its concept.

Tiffany & Co. Jewelry Collection_©leohamel.com
Tiffany & Co. Jewelry Collection_©leohamel.com

8. Twisted box handbag 

This handbag of Louis Vuitton bore simplicity and minimalism in complete contrast to his architecture style and received more criticism.

Twisted Box Handbag_©news.artnet.com
Twisted Box Handbag_©news.artnet.com

9. Rem Koolhaas | The fashion industry

Rem Koolhaas is a Dutch architect known for his modern and deconstructivist styles. Rem Koolhaas and the Italian luxury brand’s creative head, Miuccia Prada have been collaborating for over 20 years. The launch of the Prada FW Menswear 2021 Collection by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons allowed the architect to design a space for the show. Four rooms were designed and connected in a loop for the models to circulate showcasing the attire. It was a theme to provoke senses. Hence the material and forms were intertwined to achieve the same. The result described how Fashion and architecture could go hand-in-hand.

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Prada FW Menswear 2021 Collection_©Archdaily
Author

Rohini M is an Assistant Architect in Atkins, Bangalore. She is also certified LEED Green Associate and COA registered Architect. Moreover, she also contributes articles to Building Design Journal in Atkins UK. She is a go-to person for hand made cards for any event or wall arts in the firm.